Supporting means for articles such as typewriters and sewing machines



March 18, 1952 c, c, JAMES SUPPORTING MEANS FOR ARTICLES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS AND SEWING MACHINES 3 Shegts-Sheet 1 Filed April 18, 1945 INVENTOR. Charles C James LIV;

ATIORWEK SUPPORTING MEANS FOR ARTICLES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS AND SEWING MACHINES March 18, 1952 c c JAMES 2,589,393

Filed April 18, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 18, 1952 Q JAMES SUPPORTING MEANS FOR ARTICLES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS AND SEWING MACHINES Filed April 18, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Giza/lea Gala/7265 149 IHHiH Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR ARTICLES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS AND SEWING MACHINES 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a supporting means for articles such as typewriters and sewing machines, where it is desirable for such articles or the equivalent to be stored when not in a utile position, particularly Where space is lacking, and the support means functions as a means for storage of the article or machine.

One prime object is to provide a supporting means having a shelf or panel to which the machine or article is fastened, and which is mounted for rocking movement to and from utile and stored positions, being balanced as far as practicable as to its weight with relation to the axis of rocking, in order to increase the ease of such movement, and having a novel spring means to augment manual lifting or return of the parts from stored to utile position.

Another important object is to produce such a supporting means which includes a panel to function as a desk top or writing surface whose weight is a material factor in the aforesaid balancing of the supporting means.

Further, it is aimed to provide a supporting structure which may be fastened to a wall or the equivalent, be built into the knee space of a desk, be incorporated in a pedestal or cabinet space of a desk, or otherwise, which also has a novel panel or top, and a supporting structure which in one form may have a second spring means to coact with the spring means previously mentioned in association with pivoted links having end abutment when aligned and requiring movement toward an operator to disalign them, so that the article or machine will be positively supported in utile position against lowering and danger of other accidental collapse of the supporting means.

Various additional objects and advantages 1 will become apparent from a consideration of the description following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment by way of example.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a desk having my improvements incorporated therein, with a supported typewriter (in dotted lines) in stored position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts of Fig. 1, but with my improvements shown supporting a typewriter (in dotted lines) in utile position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my improvements alone, in connection with a fragmentarily shown desk and a typewriter (in dotted lines) and in utile position;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the parts of Fig. 3,

wherein the typewriter is in a stored position;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the plane of line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing the mounting of the operation-assisting spring;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 but of a modified form;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the pedes tal or cabinet space of a desk wherein the invention is built, according to a second modified form;

Fig. 9 is a view of the form of Fig. 8 corresponding thereto but with the parts projected and a typewriter (in dotted lines) in utile position; and t Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line l0|ll of Fig. 8.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, and first to the form of Figs. 1 to 6, I employ a mounting or attaching panel as at it], usually vertically disposed, and fastened against a wall or to any other support. Such mounting panel In well adapts the invention for incorporation into a desk such as that illustrated at A in Figs. 1 and 2. In such figures, the panel I!) may be a wall of the desk proper, or may be another wall suitably secured to a wall of the desk, as preferred. When incorporated in a desk, the invention preferably is located within or adjacent to the knee space II thereof. A shelf I2 is adapted to have a typewriting machine I3, a sewing-machine, or any other article or accessory bolted or otherwise clamped thereto in a conventional manner. The shelf i2 is pivoted on a horizontal axis I4 adjacent the upper edge of the supporting panel Ill, and this end may be attained by employing a hinge whose leaves are respectively fastened to the under surface of shelf l2 and the upper surface of a batten I6 fastened to the supporting panel It. This pivotal mounting of the shelf is to be taken by way of example only as I may pivot the shelf on an axis l4 directly to the walls Ill of the desk on opposite sides of the knee space.

As a result, shelf l2 and its load are capable of movement from the utile or operative position of Fig. 3 to the stored or inoperative position of Fig. 4.

In the utile or operative position of Fig. 3, shelf 12 is maintained in a horizontal position in any suitable way as by the engagement of springbiased latches I! having slidable bolts I8 engageable with keeper means I9 provided in the walls 20 of the desk on opposite sides of the knee space II. One or more draw-rods 2I pass through space 2 I of support II] and are pivoted to under surfaces of a cover panel for the desk (to be later described), and also pivoted to a cross-rod 22 slidably mounted in guide brackets 23 depending from shelf I2. Flexible draw members 2I are trained over guide pulleys 24 on the shelf and at opposite ends attached to said bolts I8 and to cross-rod 22.

A coil spring 25 is suitably fastened at one end to supporting panel III or other fixed part and.

is fastened at the other end to a batten 26 dependent from the forward end of the shelf I2. This spring 25 may be under any desired tension,

slight tension usually being sufficient andwhile,

it will hold the parts in the operative position against danger of accidental displacement, yet its prime function is to assist or augment the manual lifting or return action of the parts from the stored position of Fig. 4 to the operative position of Fig. 3.

Operatively associated with the shelf I2 is a top or cover panel 21 for the knee space II, and the panel is pivotally attached or hinged to the forward end of the shelf I2 at 28. Panel 21, if desired, may be equipped with means on either or both its upper and lower surfaces to advantageously hold stationery, books or other accessories. The cover panel 21 may assume the position of Fig. 3 being latched or supported in that position in any desired Way as by bolt I9 and keeper recesses 20, and where the invention is incorporated in the desk A, such top or cover panel 21 may rest at an angle and in contact with an edge 33 of the desk, as in Fig. 3. In. the stored position of the parts shown in Fig. 4, the top or cover panel 21 may engage rests 29 extending into space II from walls Ifl This will provide a preferably flush horizontal top or writing surface for the desk over the knee space II as shown in full lines in Fig. 4. A finish panel 3I maybe hinged to the rear edge of cover 2! at 32 for movement to be in vertical position in each position of cover 21 as in Figs. 3 and 4. Guard blocks 35 aid in laterally positioning the typewriter.

In the operation of the invention, the typewriter or other article I3 (shown in dotted lines) in combinationgwith the top or-cover panel 21 is so disposed on the shelf 'I2 that the weight thereof is such that it may be unitarily moved in practically a balanced condition on the'horizontal axis or pivot I4, rendering movement of the parts fromthe utile position of Fig. 3 to the stored position of Fig. 4, and vice versa, with ease, and particularly tensioning the spring 25' during the movement to the position of Fig. 4

so that when the parts are rocked or swung on the axis I4 back to the position of Fig. 3, primarily by manually lifting cover 21 at panel 3I, the tension of the spring aids in' lifting and restoring the parts to normal position. In the position of Fig. 3 it will be noted that cover 2'! is slightly forwardly inclined resting against the edge 30 of the desk top and against the inclined forward edge 33 of shelf I2. In the lowered posishelf I2 in movement from the position of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 4.

It is to be realized that I may provide for sliding of the typewriter on shelf I2 or in any way arrange for the proper distribution of its weight relative to axis I I to effect the balancing action and easy opening contributed by the action of spring 2'5.

As detailed in Fig. 6, I may provide means operable to vary the tension of the spring 25. For example, the spring may have a bolt 35 of suitable length fastened to one end thereof and loosely passed through an opening in the part 31 of panel III or the equivalent. Threaded to the screw 35 is a winged nut 36 which is operable against the outer surface of the part 31 in order to draw the bolt 35 and spring 25 and accordingly vary the tension of the latter.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, I may resort to the form disclosed in Fig. 7 which accords with thepreceding form and bears the same reference numerals for corresponding parts, but with the addition of means to positively support theshelf I2 in the horizontal position. Such means cone sists of a brace or strut. comprising links I! adapted to align with adjacent ends in abutment when shelf I2 is horizontal. The links are connected together by a hinge 31 movable onav horizontal axis. Said links H at the other ends are connected by hinges on horizontal axes, at 38 and 39, respectively, to shelf I2 and to the supporting panel I0. In addition, acoil spring similar to that at 251s employed at 40, being passed through the opening Zl in supporting panel I0 and fastened at opposite ends to one of the links H and stud 26. It will be realized that in order to displace the strut or brace I I-I 1, the joint at hinge 3'! must be moved upwardly or toward an operator of the machine I3 rather than inwardly or away from said operator where it would likely be broken by a knee of the operator. It will also be clear that thespring 40 in addition. to, holding the links I1 aligned through its tension, also augments theaction of the spring 25in aiding in the lifting of shelf I2 and its load, from a lowered or collapsed;

position to the horizontal position of Fig. '7.

Considering now the form of the'invention': disclosed in Figs. 8 to 10, provision is made for; incorporating the invention into a pedestaL; storage space or cabinet 4| of a desk 42. Space.

sions 50 at the top of which a crossbar 5| is. fastened, and to which crossbar a shelf 521s,

pivoted on a horizontal axis at 53. Outward slidin movement of body 45 is limited by the contact of stop elements 55 and 56, respectively, secured to the desk 42 and the supporting body 45.

In this form, I use a spring 25 for the same purpose as spring 25 is used in the preceding forms, but it is arranged at a different angle, however, being fastened at one end to a. batten Slidably mounted in the pedestalv 26 the equivalent of batten 26, and depending from the shelf 52. The other end of spring 25 is secured to the movable body 45 as by means of an adjustable bolt structure 5'! like the bolt structure 35. This form of the invention also advantageously uses the links and brace means of Fig. 7 to form a positive support for the shelf 52 in the extended horizontal position of Fig. 9. Thus I use links H pivoted together at 3"? and to the shelf 52 and support 45, respectively, at 38 and 39. Also, I attach a spring 48 to one of the links I! and to the batten 25 spring 45 functioning like that at ii] and cooperating with the spring 25 in the same manner that springs 25 and 40 cooperate in the preceding form of Fig. 7.

The typewriter or other article 13 is suitably supported on the shelf 52, preferably being directly clamped to a platform 53 which is pivoted on a vertical axis at 59 to the shelf l2. This pivotal mounting at 59 enables the typewriter to be swung to a position with its longitudinal axis transverse to the shelf 52, when the shelf 52 is horizontal and extended as in Fig. 9, to better accommodate use by an operator.

It will be clear that through the operation of the parts of Figs. 8 to 10, that door 43 may be readily opened and closed and the support 45 moved in and out of space 45 by sliding movement, the element I3 being supported in operative position by the cooperation of the links H and also being readily foldable to a disappearing position as in Fig. 8 upon breaking the joint at 3'! and also the shelf 52 and swinging the typewriter on pivot 59 so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of shelf 52. Upon moving the parts to utile position, the supporting frame 45 is moved forwardly as in Fig. 9, and thereafter the shelf 52 at its rear end, lifted, with the springs 25 and 40 greatly augmenting and assisting the manual operating, the links H at their upward limit abutting each other as in Fig. 9, and forming a positive support for the machine 13, which is preferably swung to a position with its longitudinal axis transverse with respect to the shelf 52.

I claim:

1. A supporting structure of the class described comprising a shelf, a support having a surface on which the shelf normally rests, means located closer to the front than the rear of said shelf fulcruming said shelf on said support adjacent said surface for swinging aid shelf from said normal position to a lowered position, links pivoted to said shelf and to said support in diagonal relation thereto, means hinging said links together so as to normally maintain their adjacent ends in alignment and necessitate movement away from the support to break the joint, a batten extending angularly from the shelf on the side of the fulcrum opposite to said links and spring means attached at opposite ends to the batten and to one of the links for tensioning through the swinging of the support to lowered position so that the tensioned spring will assist in returning the support to normal position.

2. structure according to claim 1, wherein said support has a clearance slot through which said spring means extends.

3. A supporting structure of the class described comprising a shelf, a support having a surface on which the shelf normally rest, means positioned between the front and back of said shelf fu1cruming said shelf on said support adjacent said surface for swinging said shelf from said normal position to a lowered position, collapsible strut means for aid shelf pivoted to the support and the shelf at a location spaced from said a batten extending angularly from the shelf on the side of the fulcrum opposite to said strut means, resilient means to assist in the movement of the shelf from lowered position to normal position attached to the batten and to the strut means to assume a position approximately parallel to the lowered position of the shelf so as to be tensioned as the support is lowered to aid in returning the support to normal position.

4. In combination with an article of furniture having a compartment between side walls, a

support, interengaged means between the support and side walls slidably mounting the support in said compartment, said support having a rearward projection, a crossbar secured to the projection, a shelf pivotally mounted closer to its front than its rear on the crossbar to support a typewriter or the like, a batten extending from said shelf, a pair of angularly disposed links pivoted one to the shelf and one to the support, said links being pivoted together, and in the raised position of the shelf adapted to abut at adjacent ends, a coil spring secured to the uppermost link and to the batten, and a second coil spring, said second coil spring being connected to the support and to the batten to assume a position approximately parallel to the lower position of the shelf, said springs being tensioned through the lowering of the shelf so that their tension will assist in the subsequent raising of said shelf.

CHARLES 0. JAMES.

REFERENCES QETED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 814,450 Johanson Mar. 6, 1906 993,588 Donning May 30, 1911 1,272,916 Colegrove July 16, 1918 1,656,714 Waldheim Jan. 17, 1928 1,838,613 Durard Dec. 29, 1931 1,888,034 Frankel Nov. 15, 1932 1,929,048 Ash Oct. 3, 1933 1,933,933 Richardson Nov. 7, 1933 1,949,118 Early Feb. 27, 1934 2,173,302 Koch Sept. 19, 1939 2,217,658 De Puy Oct. 15, 1940 2,247,380 Hohmann July 1, 1941 2,314,144 Hicks Mar. 16, 1943 2,315,436 Link Mar. 30, 1943 

